Connection systems intended for equipping plates, especially glass plates, for the purpose of fastening them, and the plates thus equipped

Abstract

A connecting system configured to secure at least one cavity including curved and retaining walls and positioned on a surface portion located on an edge of a substrate made of a fragile material of glass type and a support member. The connecting system includes a shoe including at least one appendage projecting from at least one of faces of the shoe, the appendage having a profile that complements the profile made on the surface portion situated on the edge of the substrate.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A connecting system, comprising:
 a glass substrate including at least one cavity having curved and retaining walls, the cavity extending longitudinally along a surface portion located on an edge of the glass substrate; 
 a shoe including at least one appendage having opposing first and second sides, the at least one appendage projecting from at least one face of the shoe, the at least one face extending outwardly from each of the first and second sides of the at least one appendage such that the at least one face is wider than a width of the at least one appendage, and the at least one appendage having a profile that complements a profile of the cavity on the edge of the glass substrate, 
 wherein collaboration between the shoe and the cavity ensures that the connecting system is automatically locked into the cavity, 
 wherein the cavity is delimited by a curved and retaining region of concave profile, a concave face thereof facing inward, and 
 wherein the at least one appendage is elastically flexible inwards such that the at least one appendage can fit into the cavity of the glass substrate by force in a direction that is transverse to the longitudinal extension of the cavity. 
 
     
     
       2. The connecting system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the shoe is T-shaped. 
     
     
       3. The connecting system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the shoe is L-shaped. 
     
     
       4. The connecting system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the shoe is U-shaped. 
     
     
       5. The connecting system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the shoe comprises one of plastic and Nylon 6,6. 
     
     
       6. The connecting system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the shoe comprises a pultrusion of plastic fibers and reinforcing fibers. 
     
     
       7. The connecting system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the shoe is produced by molding or injection molding a plastic. 
     
     
       8. The connecting system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the profile of the at least one appendage includes convex projecting parts that complement concave faces of the profile of the cavity. 
     
     
       9. The connecting system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one appendage has an asymmetric profile. 
     
     
       10. The connecting system as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a wetting agent interposed at an interface between a side wall of the cavity and the shoe to improve surface condition. 
     
     
       11. The connecting system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the glass substrate is a sheet of mineral or organic. 
     
     
       12. The connecting system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the glass substrate is tempered glass, toughened glass, annealed sheet glass, or mechanically strengthened glass. 
     
     
       13. The connecting system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one appendage is symmetrical about a plane and the at least one face extends substantially perpendicularly to the plane of symmetry of the at least one appendage. 
     
     
       14. The connecting system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the shoe further includes a slotted opening in a side thereof, the slotted opening configured to accommodate a partition. 
     
     
       15. A connecting system, comprising:
 a glass substrate having a cavity that extend longitudinally along an edge of the glass substrate; 
 a shoe including at least one appendage projecting from a face of the shoe, a width of the at least one appendage being narrower than a corresponding width of the face of the shoe, 
 wherein collaboration between the shoe and the cavity of the glass substrate ensures that the connecting system is automatically locked into the cavity, 
 wherein the cavity is delimited by a curved and retaining region of concave profile, a concave face thereof facing inward, and 
 wherein the at least one appendage is elastically flexible inwards such that the at least one appendage can fit into the cavity of the glass substrate by force in a direction that is transverse to the longitudinal extension of the cavity. 
 
     
     
       16. The connecting system as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the shoe further includes a slotted opening in a side thereof, the slotted opening configured to accommodate a partition.